quieting cooling fans

[jacksonpt]

I've got a DIY canopy that houses one 250w MH (the hood is designed to take 2 MH, but I'm only using one for the time being). I have two 6.5" cooling fans that are pretty loud... loud enough that I have to turn up the TV. That's not a bid deal, but I've got a 10month old daughter. Her bedroom is upstairs and I can't hear her crying when she wakes up from a nap because of the fans.
I got them at a local electronics shop for about $12ea - not sure of the brand. Are there other fans that are reasonably quiet, or is that just the nature of 6.5" fans? Is it safe to assume that smaller fans would be quieter? If so, would more smaller fans cool just as well as fewer larger fans?

 

[zeppelin]

I went with 12 volt fans and run them with an AC/DC convertor. The 12 volt fans are much quieter than the 110 ones, IMO.
Larry

 

[i like fish]

If they are vibrating the canopy you could try rubber washers.

 

[fishfreek]

I tried a 4" 110v fan from radio shack that ran at 36dB. I thought it was a bit loud so i returned it and got a 12v 3-5/8" computer fan made by "Manhattan" from a local computer store. It does run quite a bit quieter. It doesn't say on the package, but i'd say its about 20dB and puhes about 30-35 cfm. It ran me about $7. I use a 12v adapter.HTH

 

[eng50]

Hey fish,
I did the same, I put two in the hood and one in the base, now I would like to find a thermostatic DIY switch...any ideas? Did you do anything like that?
Bill

 

[kennynj]

I USED A THEMOSTAT SWITCH FOR AN ATTIC FAN. CAN
GET ONE AT ANY HOME DEPOT. USED WITH A RADIO SHACK
110V FAN.

 

[danrw84]

go for the 12 volt...and hook it up to some 12 volt charger or something. Do a 4 inch computer fan. They tend to be a lot quiter.

 

[randolph]

i have a cooling fan in my hood 2-speed very quiet you can find them at www.air-conditioner-store.com clip on fan, just remove the clip it's works great and quiet all plastic 6.5 inch 110 volt. on low speed i can't hear it running. hope this helps